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Trout adds cycle to lengthy list of achievements

5/21/13: Mike Trout becomes the youngest player in American League history and the sixth in Angels history to hit for the cycle

By William Boor
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MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- Angels outfielder Mike Trout has already accomplished a lot in his brief Major League career, but on Tuesday night he added something to his list of achievements -- the cycle.

Considering all that Trout has done, it almost comes as a surprise that this was his first cycle. Despite being a standout player at every level, Trout had never achieved the feat, not in Little League, not for Millville Senior High School or anywhere else.

"It's just a dream come true," said Trout, who also expressed his excitement on Twitter, posting: "Appreciate all the love! Awesome night! #angels"

"To stand here after a night like this is definitely up there on my lists of personal [accomplishments]," he added. "Triple, double, home run and a single. It's tough to do, and hopefully, there's more to come."

"More to come" may seem like a lot to ask considering the record for cycles is only three -- Bob Meusel, Babe Herman and John Reilly each did it three times.

However, Trout -- who is now the youngest player in American League history to hit for the cycle -- has proven time and time again that he is capable of setting records, and his manager also believes another cycle is possible.

"Just seeing his talent, you have to really shake yourself, because he's 21 years old," Mike Scioscia said. "He has so many ways that he can help you win a game. Stolen base tonight, looked good in the outfield and obviously in the batter's box, had an incredible night. If I'm a betting man, I've got to believe there's another cycle in his career somewhere."

In the Angels' 12-0 rout of the Mariners, Trout went 4-for-5 with five RBIs, and he became the sixth Angels player to hit for the cycle and the first with five or more RBIs.

The reigning AL Rookie of the Year legged out an infield single in the third, tripled in the fourth, doubled in the sixth and homered in the eighth.

"I didn't really think of it until about the eighth inning," Trout said. "I'm in the outfield, I'm like, 'Man, I got a triple, double and a single. And I got to 2-0 there, and I said, 'Hey, if I'm going to hit one, it's going to be this pitch.' So I hit it and it went out."

The feat extends Trout's torrid pace in May, as he has now collected 18 RBIs and is hitting .343 for the month.

"He's a special player," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "That last pitch he hit for a home run, he took it off the ground and drove it the other way. He looks stronger this year, but he's a great athlete. Just a young, special player."

And as impressive as Trout has been, Howie Kendrick thinks this may only be the beginning.

"He's still going to improve and get even better, and that's kind of scary," Kendrick said.

William Boor is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.